Alarm box



Feb. 17, 1942. A. R. GoULD 2,273,440

` ALARM BOX Filed July 1,41940 2 Sheets-Sheet l i -'LV-l INVENTOR. f//Me /QAyMo/v oaLD Feb. 17, 1942. A R, GoULD 2,273,440

ALARM BOX Filed July 1', 1940 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALARM BOX Arthur Raymond Gould, Derby, Colo. Application July 1, 1940, Serial No. 343,39@V

4 Claims.

any attempt is made to carry or move the box` from its position.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that after the alarm has once been set in operation, it cannot be stopped without unlocking the box. i

Other objects of the invention are: toprovide va device of this character which will operate, not

only when the box is lifted but also if the box is slid along its supporting surface; to provide means for rendering the alarm inoperative when the box is in the care of an authorized party; to provide a device of this character which can be easily installed in any desired box; and to provide a mechanism which cannot be placed' out of order by dropping or pounding the box.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for' simplicity, economy, and efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the 1nvention reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a typical cash box illustrating the invention applied thereto and ready for operation.

Fig. 2 isa similar view illustrating the box lifted from its supporting surface to place the alarm mechanism in the operating position Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are perspective views ofthe alarm mechanism removed from the box. In Fig. 3, the mechanism is illustrated inthe inoperative position; in Fig. 4, the mechanism is illustrated in the set position; and in Fig. 5, the mechanism i's illustrated in the alarm position.

Fig. 6 is a cross section through the box, taken on the line 6 6, Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is an enlargedy detail view of the operating plunger.

' In Figs. 1 and 2, a typical metal cash box has been illustrated at I Il having the usual hinged lid II. The box is provided with a false bottom I2 supported upon crossk pieces I3, which are aixed to and forma part of a base .board I4. The base board, cross pieces and false bottom form the alarm mechanism which can be placed in the bottom of any desired box and secured in any desired manner.

The alarm mechanism includes an electromagnetic vibrating mechanism I5 arranged to operate a usualv clapper I'I against a bell I6. In place ofthe bell I6, the clapper may be arranged to strike the side of the box or, as illustrated, it can be positioned to contact both the side of the box and the bell I6. The current for operating the vibrating mechanism-is furnished by a suitable dry-cell battery I8. The battery, the vibrating mechanism, and the bell I6 are all secured to and are carried by the base board I4.

One terminal of the battery is connected, by

means of a suitable conductor I8, to thevibrating mechanism I5. `The other terminal thereof is connected by means of a suitable conductor I9 to a contact button 26 on one of the cross pieces I3. A third conductor 2I extends from the vibrating mechanism I5 to a pivot member` 24 which supports a tilting switch bar 22. The bar 22 can be swung back and forth at one extremity between a dead contact 23 and the contact button 20.

The switch bar 22 is constantly urged downwardly at its Aother extremity by means of a cantilever leaf spring 25 which endeavors to maintain it in Contact with the button 20. The latter extremity of the tilting switch bar can be forced downwardly by means of a pry leverl 26 which is tiltably mounted under the head of a headed fulcrum pin 2l. Thus, if one extremity of thepry lever is forced upwardly, the other exftremity willpry downwardly against the tilting switch bar forcing it against the reaction of the leaf spring 25,`away from the button 20 and over the dead contact 23. A

The free extremity of the pry lever can be lifted by swinging a setting lever 28. The latter lever is hinged in a bracket 29 secured to the base board I4 and is turned back upon itself to form la frame 3u which can be swung under the pry lever to cause it to hold the switch baron the dead contact. The bracketI 29 is provided with a stop arm `3| to prevent the lever 28 from being swung. beyond the vertical holding position.

A plunger 32, provided with a head 33, extends downwardly through the base board I4 and through and beyond the bottom of the box I0. The head of the plunger is positioned immediately under the free extremity of the leaf spring 25. When the box is placed upon a supporting surface, the plunger contacts this surface and pushes the leaf spring upwardly and supports it out of contact With the switch lever. If the box is lifted from the supporting surface, the plunger protrudes and allows the leaf spring to resume its downward position. As the spring moves downwardly, it swings the switch lever onto the contact 20 closing a circuit to the vibrating mechanism to sound the alarm.

The opening through the base board, through which the plunger projects, is counter-bored on a taper so that the plunger will have space to swing in any direction. In order to allow it to swing, it is provided with two joints 34 at right angles to each other which allow a universal movement.

Operation When the box is being transported, the setting lever 28 is swung upwardly so that the swinging switch bar cannot move from the dead contact and the leaf spring is therebyheld in the elevated position. After the box has been placed upon a supporting surface, the setting lever is swung to one side to release the pry lever so that the spring may move the switch bar.

If the box is lifted, the plunger will be free to move downwardly allowing the leaf spring to actuate the switch lever to close the circuit. This circuit will remain closed until the setting lever is again operated to break the contact at the contact button. This contact cannot be broken, however, by again forcing the plunger inward, since this will only lift the leaf spring and will not actuate the switch lever. The latter is not only frictionally held in place but is provided with a counter weight 36 to maintain it in contact with the contact 2l) until manually forced away.

Should the box be pushed or drawn along the supporting surface, it will cause the jointed plunger to swing or bend to one side thus allowing the leaf spring to lower and close the circuit. Thus, the box cannot be moved or lifted without setting off the alarm and the alarm can not be stopped without opening the box to allow access to the setting lever.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims,

without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An alarm mechanism for portable containers comprising: an electric alarm circuit in said container; a plunger protruding from the bottom of said container; a leaf spring secured at one extremity and extending across said plunger to urge said plunger to protrude; a switch bar included in said circuit and pivoted intermediate its extremities with its i'lrst extremity below the free extremity of said spring; and a circuit closing Contact in said circuit positioned above the second extremity of said bar to be contacted by the latter to close said circuit when the first extremity is depressed by said spring.

ama/44o 2. An alarm mechanism for portable containers comprising: an electric alarm circuit in said container; a plunger protruding from the bottom of said container; a leaf spring secured at one extremity and extending across said plunger to urge said plunger to protrude; a switch bar included in said circuit and pivoted intermediate its extremities and with its rst extremity below the free extremity of said spring; a circuit closing contact in said circuit positioned above the second extremity of said bar to be contacted by the latter to close said circuit when the iirst is depressed by said spring, said spring being free to lift from said bar without moving the latter from said contact; and a manually actuated lever overlying said second extremity of said bar to return the latter and break said circuit when desired.

3. An alarm mechanism for portable containers comprising: an electric alarm circuit in said container; a plunger protruding from the bottom of said container; a leaf spring secured at one extremity and extending across said plunger to urge said plunger to protrude; a switch bar included in said circuit and pivoted intermediate its extremities and with its first extremity below the free extremity of said spring; a circuit closing contact in said circuit positioned above the second extremity of said bar to be contacted by the latter to close said circuit when the rst is depressed by said spring, said spring being free to lift from said bar without moving the latter from said contact; and a pry lever lying substantially parallel to said leaf spring and being pivoted intermediate its extremities, the first extremity overlying the second extremity of said bar; manual means for lifting the remaining extremity of said pry lever to cause the latter to pry said bar from said contact.

4. An alarm mechanism for portable containers comprising: an electric alarm circuit in said container; a plunger protruding from the bottom of said container; a leaf spring secured at one extremity and extending across said plunger to urge said plunger to protrude; a switch bar included in said circuit and pivoted intermediate its extremities and with its first extremity below the free extremity of said spring; a circuit closing contact in said circuit positioned above the second extremity of said bar to be contacted by the latter to close said circuit when the rst is depressed by said spring, said spring being free to lift from said bar without moving the latter from said contact; a pry lever lying substantially parallel to said leaf spring and being pivoted intermediate its extremities, the rst extremity overlying the second extremity of said bar; a frame member hinged beneath the remaining extremity of said pry lever; and a handle secured to said frame and extending upward in said container for rotating said frame to cause the latter to lift the remaining extremity of said pry lever to cause the rst extremity thereof to pry said bar from said contact.

ARTHUR RAYMOND GOULD. 

